A THIEF who stole a transit van almost mowed down the owner and smashed into two cars before police stopped him.

Burnley Crown Court heard Anthony Press, who had no licence and was not insured, was later found trying to hook a stolen £11,000 caravan to the van.

Press, 46, who has almost 50 previous convictions, was jailed for a total of 33 months.

Press, of Elmwood Street, Burnley, admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and handling stolen goods. He was also resentenced for the conditional discharges and for breaching a community punishment order imposed for stealing a £2,OOO trailer.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, told the court the builder was working in Stacksteads in July when his pick up van was taken. It headed towards him at speed and he had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Press then headed to Bacup and hit a Jaguar on Newchurch Road, struck another vehicle in Manchester Road, Burnley, and went through red traffic lights as police tried to stop him.

Mr O'Shea said Press stopped the van in Selkirk Street before fleeing. Officers chased and found him hiding in a garden.